Truck crushes legs of beloved Brooklyn woman

Crown Heights, Brooklyn — A 16-wheeler struck an 84-year-old widow – crushing her legs – as she crossed a Brooklyn street pushing her shopping cart.

Harriet Evanter, a fixture in her Crown Heights neighborhood, was hit in a crosswalk on Nostrand Ave. about 8:49 a.m. Tuesday, police and witnesses said.

Police said the truck, heading west on Lefferts Ave., had the right of way.

“Her legs got crushed by that big truck,” said Junior Hinds, 55, a building super who saw the grisly aftermath.

Evanter was in critical condition yesterday at Kings County Hospital. Her metal shopping cart was left dented in the crosswalk.

“She’s a good, old American sweetheart,” said neighbor Albert Valencia, 31, whose mother is close friends with Evanter. “She is the nicest lady. She is a beautiful lady.”

The driver of the DeSimone Contracting truck wept after he realized he hit the woman, witnesses and the owners of the trucking company said.

“He’s a good man, a very religious man. He’s very shocked right now,” said Jerry Mazze, 45, whose wife owns the trucking company.

“You can go 30 years and nothing happens. And in one second something happens like this that changes your life,” Mazze said.

“I feel bad for the woman. I feel bad for the family. … I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.”

CHI ED: Mrs. Evanter is a member of the Shalom Center here in Crown Heights.